Uneven shine

[mukluk25]

Hi, just wondering if someone could give me some insight to what I am seeing with my polishing (67 Overlander). I started testing different methods on the door. I figured if I completely screwed up I could replace the door. I wound up thinking that using a grinder/polisher with Jestco grey bar etc works best for me and the door looks great.
Anyway, on Saturday I removed the clear coat from the rest of the trailer with Removall 220. I picked a small section towards the bottom and side of the trailer and tested that spot with the grey bar. It looked great. Then I tested a section on the rear end cap using the same method with the grey bar. It looks much duller in appearance than the other section and the door. Maybe the end cab needs more passes? Maybe the end cap gets more sun than the sides so there is more oxidation? Different type of aluminum? I just dont want to burn through the aluminum with too many passes and then have a lousy looking end cap. Any help would be great. Thanks

[Alumaholic]

End caps are subjected to stretching when they are pressed into shape. Consequently, they never polish the same as the flat panels on the same trailer.
Whatever you do, don't over polish and over heat any area on your skin, which is the tendency when we think we have a trouble spot.
Hope this helps

[Splitrock]

This thread follows how I did my trailer this year.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f441...ml#post1135361

This forum likes pictures. Can you post some of your project?


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[Soyboy]

Alumaholic: Thanks for posting that, I have been wondering why the curved sections on my '99 Safari don't polish out as well as the flat parts. I kind of figured that it might be something like that or that they used a different aluminum on the curved parts. Of course mine is non-Alclad.

[mukluk25]

Thanks, this really helps. I will try to get some photos up here so you guys can see the difference.

[Jester]

Hi Mukluk25,
The alclad aluminum on mid 60's Airstreams seem to shine better than the others for some reason but the aluminum endcaps seem to go a bit slower. However once the panels are buffed with the grey compound then the pink compound and finished with the Metal Armor polish the caps should shine as good as the other panels. Be sure to keep the buff edge soft with the rake for optimal performance and shine. If you get a chance post some pics.